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3 Days in Vancouver

I was born in Mauritius, Africa and grew up in Vancouver, Canada since I was two years old. After 25 years of my life growing up in Canada, I had an irresistible urge to live somewhere else for an experience and because I knew there was so much more of the world to see.
In 2013 I quit my full-time jobs to work for an NGO in Cambodia for 7 months. I then went to 5 other countries in Southeast Asia, met hundreds of people and it was the best year of my life.
I can't seem to stay away from Cambodia for very long now I'm working for a travel company during my time here and loving it. I've met some of the most generous people I've met in my life in Cambodia.
In my spare time I love riding my motorcycle, cycling, hosting dinners and enjoying the company of funny people.

Vancouver has something for everyone, whether you fancy cycling around the water, shopping for the latest trends, restaurant-hopping, or immersing yourself in nature. This guide lists the stops in the city that you shouldn't miss, as well as places that many tourists overlook.

Waterfront between Granville and Main Sts. | North of Hastings St., Vancouver, British ColumbiaV6B 2K7, Canada

Vancouver Lookout

555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British ColumbiaV6B 4N4, Canada

Vancouver Brewery Tours

425 - 2008 Pine St., Vancouver, British ColumbiaV6J 0B8, Canada

East is East

3243 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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Granville Island

Islands, Neighbourhoods, Points of Interest & Landmarks

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The Aquabus

Ferries

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Vancouver Art Gallery

Art Museums, Art Galleries

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Science World

Children's Museums, Science Museums, Theatres

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Banana Leaf Malaysian Cuisine

Restaurants

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Seawall in Vancouver

Hiking Trails

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Vancouver Aquarium

Educational sites, Aquariums

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Stanley Park

Parks

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Shabusen Yakiniku House

Restaurants

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Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Symphonies

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Lonsdale Quay Market

Flea & Street Markets

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Gastown

Neighbourhoods

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Vancouver Lookout

Observation Decks & Towers

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Vancouver Brewery Tours

Beer Tastings & Tours

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East is East

Restaurants

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Mel C's City Tips

If you're exploring the city center, you can get around with the SkyTrain to enjoy the city views well above ground.

If you're going to spend the day on public transport, it would be cheaper to buy a day-pass that you can use for the SkyTrain, bus, or SeaBus.

When you're eating at a restaurant, the tip ranges from 15% to 20% of the bill depending on how good you felt the service was.

Vancouver is blessed with food from many countries and you can find a range of street food, cafes, family-run restaurants, and high-end restaurants. Try them all!

Day 1

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Granville Island

Islands, Neighbourhoods, Points of Interest & Landmarks

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Mel C Says:

Granville Island has a great blend of local products, art, incredible food, live music, and beautiful scenery right by the water. Go beyond downtown Vancouver and wander around this area during the day to sample local products, enjoy a meal by the water, or see a theater performance.

Good for

Foodie

Must See

History Buff

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Walk around the public market in the daytime and you may come across free food samples.

When you arrive, ask the information booth for a schedule of shows — from comedy improvisation to classical dance performances during the day and night.

Once you're done exploring Granville Island, you can hop on the Vancouver Aquabus for a mini-cruise of the False Creek area. This is the perfect way to explore one of the most beautiful parts of Vancouver.

Good for

Peace and Quiet Seeker

Must See

Tips

There are boats running regularly throughout the day so there's no need to schedule anything too far in advance.

If you are an art admirer, then you will definitely want to visit the Vancouver Art Gallery in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The gallery contains about 10,000 pieces of art in its permanent collection, which includes many local artists as part of the organization's commitment to preserving British Columbia's artists. There are often speakers, family programs, and special exhibitions throughout the year for locals and tourists to enjoy.

Good for

Peace and Quiet Seeker

Solo

Friends

History Buff

Couples

Senior

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

You can check the calendar of events on the website to see if there are any talks or special exhibitions that are happening during your stay in Vancouver.

Both kids and adults can enjoy the fun at Science World. It’s located right along the seawall where you can appreciate the beautiful view before or after you explore this educational and fun-filled dome. Science World has interactive activities, galleries, exhibits, and programs with the goal of engaging local people and inspiring future leadership in science.

We're very fortunate that Vancouver is filled with restaurants from all around the world. I've tried the full range in the city, and Banana Leaf is definitely in my top three — the food is filled with herbs and spices that will leave you wanting more. It's no surprise the restaurant has one so many awards with the blend of Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, and Singaporean flavors. This is the perfect place for dinner after a full day exploring Vancouver.

Good for

Foodie

Nightlife Seeker

Tips

Try the 'roti canai' appetizer — this soft naan bread and accompanying curry can’t be found in any other restaurant in Vancouver.

If you want to keep exploring the beautiful landscape around the water, you can rent bicycles around downtown and cycle around the seawall. The 8.8km seawall path around Stanley Park will take you to the beach, historic sites, food vendors, and the quietest areas by the water. Even if you're not into cycling, there is a walking path around the water to separate the cyclists and rollerbladers. This is a great place to escape the city noise and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Good for

Peace and Quiet Seeker

Must See

Nature Lover

Tips

If you go in the summer, stop at Third Beach to see the late sunset.

The Stanley Park path of the seawall takes about 45 minutes to an hour by bicycle if you don't stop. Bike rental shops are easy to find around downtown.

June to September is the sunniest time of year in Vancouver, which is mostly a rainy city. This would be the best time to do the seawall.

If you’re an animal lover, don't miss the city’s protected sea creatures at the aquarium in Stanley Park. It's committed to conserving aquatic life and offers shows, and interactive activities, for everyone to enjoy. Kids have stayed overnight as part of programs and slept right by the beautiful belugas! And the sea otters are just adorable!

Good for

Nature Lover

Tips

You can avoid standing in line by getting your tickets on the website.

Once you’re done at the Aquarium, you can continue to venture into the magnificent Stanley Park, a designated historic site of Canada that is integrated into Vancouver’s urban area. Whether you're strolling around by bicycle, shuttle, or horse, you will pass the scenic view of the far mountains, beautiful gardens, artists, wildlife, and sculptures all in one place. You'll be captivated by the vast beauty and design of this natural space.

Good for

Must See

History Buff

Nature Lover

Tips

You can indulge in a fine-dining meal while enjoying magnificent views of the ocean and beach by eating at one of the park's restaurants.

You can travel around Stanley Park by shuttle, car, bicycle, or even take a horse-drawn tour.

If you visit the park over Christmas, you can ride the Bright Nights Christmas Train and see beautiful lights throughout the park.

If you don’t want to limit yourself to a la carte or set meals, then you should definitely stretch your dollars by going for the all-you-can-eat at Shabusen Yakiniku restaurant for Korean-style BBQ right in downtown Vancouver. All the tables have stove tops so you can barbecue your desired ingredients and also make your own soups with a hot pot. The menu items includes fresh sushi and sashimi.

Good for

Foodie

Like a Local

Friends

Couples

Senior

Tips

This is a great restaurant if you are a meat lover; there aren't as many options for vegetarians but there is plenty of fish to eat if you are a fish-eater

If you feel like having a sophisticated evening downtown, check out the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the beautifully designed Orpheum Theater. The high-quality performances of classical and culturally-diverse music will pull on your heartstrings, as they have for audiences young and old alike. The talented musicians have performed at the 2008 Grammy and Juno Awards, 2008 Tour of Asia, and a 2013 West Coast tour. Watching these popular performances is a fantastic way to end a night in Vancouver.

If you prefer to shop outside the malls, hop on the SeaBus and admire the view as you take the 12-minute ride to the Lonsdale Quay Market. Here you can check out a variety of food, jewelry, fashion, and even a spa. The market is colorful and you can enjoy a meal with a beautiful view of the water. This is a great place to have lunch and unwind in the afternoon.

Good for

Foodie

Like a Local

Shopping Fanatic

Tips

You can travel to the quay by taking the SeaBus at Waterfront station, which comes frequently during the daytime.

From downtown, you can easily walk to the Gastown area. When you come to this neighborhood, it almost feels like you are walking back in time. This area is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood and has more preserved historical features than other parts of our very modernized city. As you walk through, you can explore Gastown’s many independent businesses, cutting edge boutiques, and award-winning restaurants, all of which contributed to being named the fourth most stylish neighborhood in the world in 2012.

Good for

Foodie

Must See

Thrifty Traveller

Trendsetter

Solo

Friends

History Buff

Couples

Senior

Shopping Fanatic

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

You can walk to Gastown from the Waterfront Station if you’re going by SkyTrain.

Us 'Vancouverites' love beer and what better way to experience Vancouver’s local drink than a brewery tour. The owners have a commitment for quality and carefully source their ingredients. To add another touch of uniqueness, they hire local artists to design their stylish labels.

Good for

Foodie

Friends

Couples

Senior

Tips

Representatives will meet you at Waterfront Station when you book your tour so you don’t have to worry about driving after enjoying your beers.

After a few days of exploring the city, have dinner at East is East, one of my favorite restaurants in Vancouver. The founders escaped Afghanistan during the soviet war and relocated in India while immersing in the country’s language, art, and cuisine. Their passion is to create something unique that stands out from other ethnic restaurants and their commitment to a sustainable lifestyle is reflected in the restaurant's design, traditional music, and vibrant flavors. The owners integrate local organic ingredients and use sustainable materials to decorate the restaurant. Come and indulge in the atmosphere and flavors while listening to one of the many world-class musicians play for your pleasure.

Good for

Foodie

Friends

Couples

Senior

Nightlife Seeker

Tips

The restaurant is vegetarian and vegan-friendly. The vegan soup is one of the best soups I've tried in Vancouver.

Contact the restaurant to find out the nights they have belly dancers performing at the restaurants (they have two locations).

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